New Star Wars MMORPG: Star Wars: the Old Republic

It’s official, Bioware and LucasArts‘ just announced the first Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Massively Multiplayer Online game — called, Star Wars: the Old Republic. During a press conference in San Francisco, CA BioWare’s CEO Ray Muzyka confirmed the company is working on the second ever Star Wars MMO and promising it’s not just a sequel to the original KOTOR game. “There’s that much to it,” he said; referring to how much more they’re adding to the game. He also noted the MMO won’t be just a planet where the player’s character will interact with other gamers who also on the same server, but everyone will be able to explore a full universe, “It’s a whole galaxy. It’s a galaxy of Star Wars.” He went on to say, “It’s going to take your gaming experience to a higher level.”

The game will take place thousands of years prior to when Darth Vader ruled the empire and about 300 years after the original Knights of the Old Republic — which was released back in 2003. If you were to compare the second installment of Knights of the Old Republic to the new MMO — don’t! The next game in series has “dwarfed” the previous entries. Muzyka called it, “A mammoth undertaking.”

Creative director From BioWare James Ohlen, discussed how the project is by far the most ‘challenging’ game he has worked on in his career. He also believes the game will be considered the first MMO to be completely story-driven. “It allows players to carve out their own epic stories,” he said.

Both companies were very adamant about a release date; “We’re less focussed on a release date.” said president of BioWare Greg Zeschuck. Their reason; they wanted to ensure the player to have an unbelievable experience while playing the game.

At one point during a questions and answer panel after the conference, it was confirmed that there will be a beta at some point. But obviously as of now, they don’t know when.

As of now, the game was shown as a PC game, and both companies have yet to confirm it being on a PS3 or Xbox 360.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic will feature many familiar character archetypes including the just-revealed bounty hunter.

Hunter, Seeker, Killer for Hire

Countless enemies stand in the way of the Sith Empire's drive for domination. The Empire spares no expense eliminating these threats, offering massive bounties to employ the galaxy's most lethal hunters. Earning a death mark from the Empire means a life spent in fear, constantly looking over one's shoulder. It's never a question if a Bounty Hunter will find you... only when.

Both infamous and anonymous at the same time, Bounty Hunters are far more than mercenaries for hire-they're heirs to a professional legacy-an ancient brotherhood with a glorious history. Tracking elusive targets across multiple star systems requires expertise, especially when the targets can be prominent, powerful, and often prepared for confrontation. Thrill seekers from all walks of life set out to become Bounty Hunters, but only the most hard-boiled survive in this competitive and deadly business.

The Bounty Hunter's path lies along the edge-the stakes are always high-and the path only leads two places, to a life of infamous glory... or to a quick and ignominious death.

Imperial Relations

Though the Empire disapproves of the Bounty Hunters' fierce independence, exceptions are made for those who get results. Few individuals in the galaxy have the gall and the stomach to deliver on the delicate and grim tasks in which Bounty Hunters excel. Nonetheless, no one is irreplaceable in the Empire, and even the most proficient must repeatedly prove their worth. In the bounty business, one's name is everything, and with each mark a Bounty Hunter takes down, his reputation grows, as does his price.

Affiliations and Loyalties

Bounty Hunters are far from a homogeneous lot-they come from all races and affiliations and each pursues his quarry in his own unique way. Some Bounty Hunters adhere to the rugged Mandalorian code of honor while others answer only to their own moral compass. Some work only on behalf of organizations they agree with, while others have no sense of loyalty.

Despite being kindred spirits, fellow Bounty Hunters cannot always be trusted-among the profession's most notorious members, competition turns colleagues into the most ruthless of enemies. Even the Bounty Hunters' employers harbor hidden agendas; the tables are turned quickly when complications arise... and they always do. Shifting allegiances, unbeatable odds, and deadly showdowns are common in the occurrences in the life of a Bounty Hunter.

... news for this game keeps on getting better and better lol! This and the upcoming DC Universe Online would drive Atlantica Online out of my system (maybe i could still play AO during maintenance)...

Ord Mantell is the latest planet revealed in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Plagued with civil war between the Republic military and Separatist guerillas, Ord Mantell is a hazardous planet with a story riddled with battle and political conflict.

History:

The mountainous plains and volcanic islands of Ord Mantell are littered with the ravages of a ruthless civil war. Republic forces are fighting elusive Separatists who are conducting guerilla style strikes against both military and civilian targets. Adding questions to an already questionable situation, the planet's government, though loyal to the Republic, is merely a puppet regime for underworld concerns.

Corellian colonists settled Ord Mantell nine thousand years ago, and the planet became a staging point for Republic military operations in the Outer Rim. Ord Mantell’s strategic value waned over the centuries, however, and after a corrupt admiral sold off the local fleet, the military all but abandoned the planet. Ord Mantell soon became a haven for smugglers, pirates, and bounty hunters, and the local government fell under the sway of the crime syndicates — a dynamic that remains in place to this day.

Though largely uncontested during the war between the Republic and the Sith Empire, things changed after the Treaty of Coruscant. Though many star systems withdrew from the Republic, Ord Mantell’s corrupt governors decided it was better business to stay loyal. Not all of the planet's populace agreed, however, and a Separatist movement began and quickly escalated into an armed conflict.

The marauders began a hit-and-run war to drive the military off the planet and achieve independence. Over the last two years, the Separatist attacks have ravaged the landscape and de-stabilized the corrupt government. Despite the difficult situation, Ord Mantell’s defenses are being bolstered. Crime syndicates backing the local government are bringing in potent black-market technologies from Nar Shaddaa, and the Republic is deploying its most elite forces.

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